Wind-Inflated Sun Shelter

Abstract

A sun shelter that is a portable system to block the direct rays of the sun, providing a shaded area beneath a fabric canopy. The wind enters through a large opening and exits through smaller vents, creating increased air pressure thereby inflating the canopy. The canopy includes pockets that are weighed down to prevent movement of the shelter. The opening is secured with anchored guy lines. To decrease transportation weight, the pockets and anchors are filled with local materials.

Claims

1. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy; a front opening; a flexible pole; one or more wind vents; the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy; the flexible pole being connected to the front opening; and the one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy.

2. The sun shelter of claim 1, further comprising: one or more guy lines the one or more guy lines fixed to the front opening.

3. The sun shelter of claim 2, further comprising: one or more anchors; the one or more anchors connected to the one or more guy lines.

4. The sun shelter of claim 3, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening; the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

5. The sun shelter of claim 1, further comprising: one or more pockets; the one or more pockets fixed to the canopy.

6. The sun shelter of claim 5, wherein the one or more pockets are filled with sand.

7. The sun shelter of claim 1, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

8. The sun shelter of claim 1, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.

9. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy; a front opening; a flexible pole; one or more wind vents; one or more weighted pockets; the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy; the flexible pole being connected to the front opening; the one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy; and the one or more weighted pockets fixed to the canopy.

10. The sun shelter of claim 9, further comprising: one or more guy lines; the one or more guy lines fixed to the front opening.

11. The sun shelter of claim 10, further comprising: one or more anchors; the one or more anchors connected to the one or more guy lines.

12. The sun shelter of claim 11, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening; the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

13. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the weighted pockets are filled with sand.

14. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

15. The sun shelter of claim 9, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.

16. A sun shelter comprising: a canopy; a front opening; a flexible pole; one or more wind vents; one or more weighted pockets; one or more guy lines; one or more anchors; the front opening formed by a front edge of the canopy; the flexible pole being connected to the front opening; the one or more wind vents formed by a lower edge of the canopy; the one or more pockets fixed to the canopy; the one or more guy lines connected to canopy; and the one or more guy lines connected to the one or more anchors.

17. The sun shelter of claim 16, wherein the one or more weighted pockets are filled with sand.

18. The sun shelter of claim 16, further comprising: one or more grommets fixed to the front opening; the one or more guy lines being connected to the grommets.

19. The sun shelter of 16, wherein the flexible pole is collapsible.

20. The sun shelter of claim 16, wherein the canopy further comprises a flexible fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the grommets of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an anchor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0014] The present invention is a sunshade, or sun shelter, product that is designed to be assembled with the opening facing directly into the wind. The wind provides the energy to inflate the sun shelter and provide the desired shade. The sun shelter blocks the direct rays from the sun and provides shade to areas beneath the fabric canopy.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention comprises a sun shelter. A fabric canopy 100 comprises the main body of the sun shelter. The canopy 100 may be constructed from any suitable lightweight material, such as nylon or polyester. The fabric of the canopy 100 may be constructed using a ripstop technique. The material of the canopy 100 may include blackout, light diffusion, light modification, and/or waterproof properties. The canopy 100 may be constructed from a single piece of material, or the canopy 100 may be constructed from multiple panels that are joined.

[0016] The canopy 100 forms a front opening 101. The front opening 101 allows occupants to enter and exit the canopy 100. The canopy 100 is oriented with the front opening 101 facing into the wind. As the wind enters the front opening 101, the air pressure from the wind causes the canopy 100 to lift and provide space for the occupants. The edge of the canopy 100 includes a seam or a series of loops around the front opening 101. A flexible pole 102 is secured around the front opening 101. For example, the flexible pole 102 is inserted through the seam or loops around the front opening 101. The ends of the flexible pole 102 are secured into the ground. The flexible pole supports the front opening 101 and holds open the front opening 101, allowing wind to enter the canopy 100 through the front opening 101. In some embodiments, the flexible pole 102 is collapsible or constructed from multiple segments.

[0017] A series of pockets 103 are sewn into the lower edge of the canopy 100. The pockets 103 include openings at the top edges of the pockets 103. The pockets 103 can be filled with sand, or other locally available weighted materials, such as sand or rocks, to weigh down the canopy 103 in opposition to the wind. The pockets 103 are sized to be large enough to hold a variety of densities of material while still securing the canopy 100 against the wind. Between the pockets 103, the edge of the canopy 100 lifts to form wind vents 104, allowing the air pressure inside the canopy 100 to be relieved. The pockets 103 may be positioned closer together to increase the height of the wind vents 104, or the pockets 103 may be positioned further apart to decrease the height of the wind vents 104. The position of the pockets 103 and height of the air vents 104 can be varied to adjust the amount of sunlight that it able to enter through the air vents 104.

[0018] A series of guy lines 105 are attached at one end to the front opening 101. The other end of each guy line 105 is attached to an anchor 106. The anchors 106 are secured into the ground. The guy lines 105 and anchors 106 secure the canopy 100 against the wind, preventing the canopy 100 from being moved by the wind.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the interior of the canopy 100 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the pockets 103 are sewn onto the canopy 100. The air pressure inside the canopy 100 causes the edges of the canopy 100 between the pockets 103 to lift from the ground, forming wind vents 104. The wind vents 104 allow the air pressure from the wind to escape the interior of the canopy 100.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 7, an edge of the canopy 100 is shown. One or more grommets 107 are fixed to the leading edge of the front opening 101 of the canopy 100. The grommets 107 provide a reinforced connection point for the guy lines 105. Each guy line 105 is connected to a grommet 107 to support the canopy 100 against movement caused by the wind.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 8, an anchor 106 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the anchor 106 comprises a fabric bag 108. The anchor 106 has an opening 109 with a closing mechanism 110. For example, the closing mechanism 110 may be a drawstring or strap. The anchors 106 are filled with locally available weighted material, such as sand or rocks. Each guy line 105 is connected to an anchor 105.

[0022] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.